The Mogs reverted to more familiar surrounds this weekend and a result more in keeping with recent seasons. Preparations for bowling first were temporarily halted when Furner appeared wearing a pair of outsize-over-the-knee shinpads to the delight of his teammates who predictably peppered his lower body with half-volley throws throughout the afternoon.
Meanwhile, on the bowling front a damp wicket created lift for Honeyfield, resulting in a top edged catch for Parker, and variable bounce, movement and temper for Freeland who removed nos.2 and 3 bowled off bottom edges. The latter, audibly shaken from being repeatedly no-balled by non-striking batsman as well as umpire, was soon escorted from the bowling crease in favour of the spin twins Lewis and Hewitt, both restored to the team after a fortnight's absence.
Recovering well from a towering 6 into the water meadow, Hewitt bowled straight to record remarkable subsequent figures of 8 overs 4 for 11 whilst the Leigh batting wilted like a tired piece of celery - threatening substance but ultimately held together with string. The Mogs fielding was unrecognizable from previous weeks with a running, diving, one-handed stunner from Honeyfield recalling the spirit of Johnny Parker, our Virginian émigré so sadly missed in the covers this year. Wickets for the patient Lewis and Martin P finished the job and 107 was unlikely to present a problem on a rapidly drying pitch.
And so it proved as run-machine in waiting 'Tina' Turner went 'Beyond Thunderdome' in a display of controlled on-side power shots in a run-a-ball 69 not out, the Mog's lucky number. New cap 'Jim' , with some nice touches, and Furner P (wearing his pads outside his trousers this time) in obdurate fashion played second fiddle to Turner's majestic progress, whilst Parker W's elevation to a lofty middle order berth nearly ended in disaster as a loopy leg break shaved his stumps first ball.
The newly instituted 'Stella Challenge' (a 24 can prize for specific target hitting, in this case clearing the pavilion) was on offer, but despite some valiant attempts at elevation, Turner continued to drill the ball all along the ground and before long the target was reached and the Mogs were happy to toast a 7 wicket triumph over their excellent hosts in brilliant late evening sunshine
MWCC Stats